Specialty Services
Stroke Care
Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in America and a leading cause of adult disability. A stroke is caused when the blood supply to an area of the brain is cut off. Brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begin to die. There are two major categories of stroke:
- The most common type of stroke (an ischemic stroke) occurs when a blood vessel carrying blood to the brain is blocked by a blood clot. High blood pressure is the most important risk factor for this type of stroke.
- A less common type of stroke (a hemorrhagic stroke) is caused when the walls of a blood vessel burst or leak. Blood spills into or around the brain and creates swelling and pressure which damage brain cells and tissue.
Prompt identification and treatment of a stroke is critical to save lives and to improve the quality of life after a stroke. If detected and treated within 3-4 hours, a blood clot can be dissolved by certain medication. Larger clots, or those not treated within 3-4 hours, may be removed using a wire coil within a catheter that is threaded through an artery to the location of the clot. The coil expands, captures the clot and is then removed from the brain.
If not immediately treated, stroke can cause permanent damage to the brain causing impaired speech, the inability to bathe and dress oneself, difficulty in eating and swallowing and incontinence.
Our caregivers are trained to assist stroke patients with the Activities of Daily Living such as transfers and ambulation, bathing, dressing, eating and toileting. In addition, our caregivers can assist with range of motion exercises when medically necessary therapy coverage is exhausted.
Memory Care Experts in Kansas City
Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life and includes specific diseases of the brain such as Alzheimer’s, Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson’s and others. People with dementia may:
- experience short-term memory problems
- have difficulties remembering dates and appointments
- get lost when traveling away from home
- be unable to perform daily tasks such as planning and preparing meals or paying bills.
Routine and familiar surroundings are key staples in caring for an individual with dementia. The ability to remain in one’s own home with keepsakes and family pictures gives the dementia patient a sense of comfort and security. Removing a dementia patient from their home will likely trigger a sense of confusion and agitation. For these reasons, home care is an excellent option for those afflicted with these cognitive impairments.
Our caregivers at Elder Care recognize that dementia will affect each client in a unique way. The impact on each family member will differ as well depending on their understanding of the disease and their interactions with their loved one. As a result, we will focus on developing an individualized Plan of Care for each client based on their specific stage of dementia and symptoms. Depending on the individual client’s circumstances, our Care Plan may include any number of the following elements:
- providing a daily, structured routine
- encouraging mind or memory stimulating activities
- fostering social interaction
- supporting the client’s independence
- providing a calm atmosphere
- managing behaviors that may change over time
- supporting family members
The following web sites provide a wealth of information that can help family members understand the disease and cope with the changes that are taking place in the lives of their loved one.
Alzheimer’s Association-Heart of America Chapter
Hospice Support & Respite Care
Hospice care is focused on caring – not curing. In the vast majority of cases, hospice care takes place in the patient’s home. A multi-disciplinary team consisting of a nurse, a home health aide, a social worker and a counselor typically are assigned to each hospice patient. The hospice team prepares a care plan that meets the patient’s needs for pain management and symptom control. Hospice team members typically visit the patient with the following frequency:
- Nurse – once per week to daily
- Home Health Aide – twice per week
- Social Worker – as needed
- Counselor – as needed
Respite care can be defined as relief from caregiving duties when you’re looking after a loved one who requires frequent, monitored care. Caregivers who tend to seniors are often in need of a little time off from their round-the-clock caregiving. Respite care helps ward off the burnout that can leave caregivers depressed, stressed out and exhausted.
Elder Care caregivers stand ready to assist in caring for a loved one when family members are working or simply need a break to relax and recharge.
The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization is a good source of information to help family members understand hospice and palliative care.
24 Hour Care
If your loved one requires round the clock care, we have the staff and resources to provide 24/7 assistance.
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